F1 Future Stars Driver Mascot Initiative Comes To Silverstone

Eight children from schools local to Silverstone have a special reason to be excited for this weekend’s Formula 1® Rolex British Grand Prix 2019 after being selected as driver mascots  for the event. With just a few more sleeps ahead of the race weekend six of the eight selected children visited the circuit to meet inspirational racing driver, Billy Monger, a double amputee who is pursuing his dream of reaching the top in his sport.

The eight lucky youngsters from Silverstone, Chackmore, Whittlebury, Greens Norton, Syresham, Towcester and Paulerspury primary schools will be part of the F1 Future Stars initiative at this year’s British Grand Prix. They will be accompanying the F1 drivers to the track and standing on the start/finish line with them on race day, a privilege only 20 children are given each year at the most prestigious sporting occasion in the UK.

10-year-old Jacob Smalley from Whittlebury Primary School can’t wait for his special moment in the limelight and said, “I was chosen by one of my teachers as they know I love Formula 1, it’s very special and I’m very excited to be meeting the drivers. I hope I’ll be able to see Lewis Hamilton as he’s my favourite driver. I love watching fast cars and I can’t wait to see the race.”

Twenty children will line up with the drivers, with the eight local children joined by others selected by the UK’s national motorsport authority, Motorsport UK and two further youngsters who have won a competition run on the Silverstone social media channels

Stuart Pringle, Managing Director of Silverstone said, “We value the support that we have from our local communities and we’re delighted to be in a position to give something back by giving these children, what we are sure will be, the experience of a lifetime. I know it is a dream come true for these youngsters to be meeting their racing heroes and to have the opportunity to be right at the centre of the action at the British Grand Prix.”

Billy Monger joined six of the eight children for a photo opportunity on the newly resurfaced Silverstone track. He took time out of his busy schedule with the Channel 4 F1 presenting team to speak with the F1 Future Stars and inspire their love for motorsport with his passion for racing.

Silverstone is preparing for a record crowd at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2019 and has lined up a blistering weekend of entertainment, on and off the track. The world’s best-loved motor racing championship, with 21 Grands Prix across five continents, takes centre stage at Silverstone, the home of British motor racing, from 12 – 14 July.

A few tickets still remain for the FORMULA 1 ROLEX BRITISH GRAND PRIX and full details on the weekend, with ticket prices, camping, hospitality and entertainment information are available at www.silverstone.co.uk.

The eight local driver mascots are:

Finlay Gardner, 8, from St James Chackmore School

Ben Drought,7, from Paulerspury School

Jacob Smalley, 10, from Whittlebury Primary School

Ariana Oliveira,11, from Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School, Towcester

Caitlin Broomhall, 11, from Silverstone Primary School

Connor Reeve, 11, from Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School, Towcester

Ethan Clough from Syresham Primary School (not pictured)

Hayley Gyles from Greens Norton Primary School (not pictured)